Thinking to buy 98+ LS400....
11-17-11, 05:24 PM
#1
Thinking to buy 98+ LS400....
i've been debating to get GS400/GS430 or LS400, seems like i'm into LS400 more due to more space in the back seat for my 2 kids car seat.
My friend's friend selling his 98 LS400, exact color as "TheDream"'s color ( hope you don't mind I borrow ur pic for a second )
but with Navigation inside. It has 110k+ miles so far, he did timing belt & water pump stuff. He's trying to sell it for $6500.
The cons : front bumper need some work, paint a bit cuffed here & there. One of the driver' side fog light is missing.
the price is $6500. He's 3rd owner. What do you guys think ? good deal or ok deal ? he won't go down on the price anymore.
-OR-
found another 1999 LS400 w/ white color. No navigation. 138k for $6000. No idea how the interior look like, i figure it's tan color. He did timing belt / water pump 35k miles ago. 4th owner
My friend's friend selling his 98 LS400, exact color as "TheDream"'s color ( hope you don't mind I borrow ur pic for a second )
but with Navigation inside. It has 110k+ miles so far, he did timing belt & water pump stuff. He's trying to sell it for $6500.
The cons : front bumper need some work, paint a bit cuffed here & there. One of the driver' side fog light is missing.
the price is $6500. He's 3rd owner. What do you guys think ? good deal or ok deal ? he won't go down on the price anymore.
-OR-
found another 1999 LS400 w/ white color. No navigation. 138k for $6000. No idea how the interior look like, i figure it's tan color. He did timing belt / water pump 35k miles ago. 4th owner
11-17-11, 06:52 PM
#3
Maybe I shouldn't reply here as a first post, but then again I do have perspective as a new LS400 owner myself. So if I may share my thoughts...
I have to ask; does it have a clean Carfax? The general value the owner is assigning would definitely demand a clean Carfax - no fender benders or worse.
Third owner is a minus; you generally prefer a one owner or two owner car (the off lease scenario).
Body damage is expensive to repair and should be reflected in the price. I'm not sure how bad the paint issues are, but paint is also expensive to repair. The LS400 has excellent factory paint and depending, it may buff out in the hands of a good detailer.
The owner is probably valuing based on the various used car guides. But i believe those are inflated. I do not see that 90's vintage Ls's are selling very well, particularly with over 100K.
On the plus side, expensive maintenance has been done (timing belt), so you are good for another 100K.
If I was in your shoes, I would offer $6000 maximum and let the owner sit on the car. In all likelihood it will not sell an you'll get a call back in a few weeks.
I have to ask; does it have a clean Carfax? The general value the owner is assigning would definitely demand a clean Carfax - no fender benders or worse.
Third owner is a minus; you generally prefer a one owner or two owner car (the off lease scenario).
Body damage is expensive to repair and should be reflected in the price. I'm not sure how bad the paint issues are, but paint is also expensive to repair. The LS400 has excellent factory paint and depending, it may buff out in the hands of a good detailer.
The owner is probably valuing based on the various used car guides. But i believe those are inflated. I do not see that 90's vintage Ls's are selling very well, particularly with over 100K.
On the plus side, expensive maintenance has been done (timing belt), so you are good for another 100K.
If I was in your shoes, I would offer $6000 maximum and let the owner sit on the car. In all likelihood it will not sell an you'll get a call back in a few weeks.
11-17-11, 07:27 PM
#4
Lead Lap
PureDrifter keeps telling me how much higher the prices are for cars like this in SoCal. Here in the Midwest that price seems very high. Avoid navigation on the 98-00 LS400 - the final update was more than seven years ago.
I'd recommend a 99-up if you can find one. And the steering column issues that plagued the 98-00 LS400 were resolved by a redesign about half way through the 2000 model year.
1998 was a weird model year for the LS400. Options were available individually rather than in packages and there are some odd combinations out there.
I'd recommend a 99-up if you can find one. And the steering column issues that plagued the 98-00 LS400 were resolved by a redesign about half way through the 2000 model year.
1998 was a weird model year for the LS400. Options were available individually rather than in packages and there are some odd combinations out there.
11-17-11, 07:37 PM
#5
that's actually a pretty fair price for a clean title car with minimal paintwork needed since the timing belt's done.
Socal going rate for a moderately clean 1-2owner 100-120k mi car with the tb/wp (98-00 obv) is approx 6800-8800 and up depending on year and condition. any steering leaks or suspension wear (clunky bushings and the like) would obviously be detracted. at the price given if it's in as good condition as you say, it seems like a good buy.
that being said, if you don't know the chassis that well, any lexus dealership and some specialty independents (Luxury motorworks in monrovia, perhaps lextech in LA) can do pre-purchase inspections for you for a reasonable fee.
Socal going rate for a moderately clean 1-2owner 100-120k mi car with the tb/wp (98-00 obv) is approx 6800-8800 and up depending on year and condition. any steering leaks or suspension wear (clunky bushings and the like) would obviously be detracted. at the price given if it's in as good condition as you say, it seems like a good buy.
that being said, if you don't know the chassis that well, any lexus dealership and some specialty independents (Luxury motorworks in monrovia, perhaps lextech in LA) can do pre-purchase inspections for you for a reasonable fee.
11-17-11, 07:49 PM
#6
bobn54 : thx for ur 1st post, welcome to clublexus 
anyway they both hv clean autocheck record. Somehow i didnt see any dealer maintanance record in both cars. Seems like autocheck never display car maintanance record. I'll try to snap some bumper pics this weekend.
How much value navigation is? I offer $6000 a week half ago, he wont change at all lol. But i see people list their 98+ ls400 for high $8000-$9000 for those kind of mileage.
please educate me here, but why 3-4 owner is less value than 1-2 owner?
PD : how to check steering leaks? i test drove 96 ls400 3 weeks ago (135k miles, $4999), it made clunky noise when i turn the wheels, i assume thats what u mean by clunky bushings? i just walked away anyway...
anyway they both hv clean autocheck record. Somehow i didnt see any dealer maintanance record in both cars. Seems like autocheck never display car maintanance record. I'll try to snap some bumper pics this weekend.
How much value navigation is? I offer $6000 a week half ago, he wont change at all lol. But i see people list their 98+ ls400 for high $8000-$9000 for those kind of mileage.
please educate me here, but why 3-4 owner is less value than 1-2 owner?
PD : how to check steering leaks? i test drove 96 ls400 3 weeks ago (135k miles, $4999), it made clunky noise when i turn the wheels, i assume thats what u mean by clunky bushings? i just walked away anyway...
Last edited by masboy; 11-17-11 at 08:34 PM.
11-17-11, 09:02 PM
#7
Welcome BobN54. 
How long has this friend's friend had the car?
Steering leaks from the PS pump unit itself are easily seen from the top. Those two hoses under the reservoir will be your indicators. If leaking it also drips down so the alternator will show signs of fluid as well.
If the strut bars/bushings haven't been done, it is a pretty high odds they are on a southward clunking trip. Not a major put off but you'll probably want to go in and inspect other front end stuff like tie rod ends and ball joints. Check tire wear, this is an indicator of suspension issues.
The 3-4 owners have less and less stake in keeping the car since they will drive it until they don't care. Not all but the ones who are meticulous will want to have better samples to begin with.
If your buddy's LS is clean, and sound, the price isn't outrageous.
GL with your shopping/buying.
Just take PD with you.
How long has this friend's friend had the car?
Steering leaks from the PS pump unit itself are easily seen from the top. Those two hoses under the reservoir will be your indicators. If leaking it also drips down so the alternator will show signs of fluid as well.
If the strut bars/bushings haven't been done, it is a pretty high odds they are on a southward clunking trip. Not a major put off but you'll probably want to go in and inspect other front end stuff like tie rod ends and ball joints. Check tire wear, this is an indicator of suspension issues.
The 3-4 owners have less and less stake in keeping the car since they will drive it until they don't care. Not all but the ones who are meticulous will want to have better samples to begin with.
If your buddy's LS is clean, and sound, the price isn't outrageous.
GL with your shopping/buying.
Just take PD with you.
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11-17-11, 11:17 PM
#9
nav/non nav should be a non-factor as the damn thing is nearly useless since the updates stopped 5-6 years ago (and cost $350). If it was my car I would just junk/sell the stock navi and replace it with a factory pioneer headunit and non-nav climate control. it bolts right in
if there's no damage behind it, repainting the front or rear bumper isn't too much money.
if there's no damage behind it, repainting the front or rear bumper isn't too much money.
11-18-11, 05:57 AM
#10
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Sounds like fair deal to me. I am not as well schooled in the LS400's as much as most of these guys. I have read up on the LS & quiet a bit research. In my area prices are $7K to around $9K depending on # owners&miles. A dealer had a 1999 with 70+K asking $14K last week. I know this one is way out of line. I would count on replacing the strut rod /bushings. I am having mine replaced today.There are not many cars you can buy for $6.5K that will give you the quality of the LS. Sticker on it with NAV was probably 60K
11-18-11, 06:55 AM
#12
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I paid 6300 for my 96 with 138K on it a few weeks ago. I'd say your are looking at reasonable prices, especially if you look what else the 6K will buy you in the market. The timing belt done will save you $$ for sure.
The Ls400 is great for kid seats btw. Got a forward facing and a rear facing in mine. The front passenger seat is all the way back and I can still fit the rear facing in there, something I couldn't do in my IS300 or M3.
The Ls400 is great for kid seats btw. Got a forward facing and a rear facing in mine. The front passenger seat is all the way back and I can still fit the rear facing in there, something I couldn't do in my IS300 or M3.
11-18-11, 08:36 AM
#13
LOL ThomasGS4
ah good to know PureDrifter, i didn't know the last updated was 5-6 yrs ago....that's pretty lame, so the nav is it's pretty much useless on LS400 then.
i actually found 96 LS400 timing belt done, grey on black leather, 130k for $4200 OBO. Personally i like the 98+ body style for VIP mods. but the good thing i guess if i buy that 96 LS400, i have left over fund to buy air bags / coilover
ah good to know PureDrifter, i didn't know the last updated was 5-6 yrs ago....that's pretty lame, so the nav is it's pretty much useless on LS400 then.
i actually found 96 LS400 timing belt done, grey on black leather, 130k for $4200 OBO. Personally i like the 98+ body style for VIP mods. but the good thing i guess if i buy that 96 LS400, i have left over fund to buy air bags / coilover
